Kindle Price: $11.99

Save $6.00 (33%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Follow the author

Sheri S. Tepper
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Family Tree Kindle Edition

by Sheri S. Tepper (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 309 ratings
See all formats and editions
A female cop confronts near-future visitors in this “beautifully realized” feminist sci-fi novel “full of delightful surprises and sparkling wit” (Kirkus Reviews).

Police officer Dora Henry is investigating the bizarre murders of three geneticists. Meanwhile, strange things are happening everywhere she turns. Weeds are becoming trees; trees are becoming forests. Overnight, a city is being transformed into a wild and verdant place.

And, strangest of all, Dora can somehow communicate with the rampaging flora.

A potential civilization-ending catastrophe is in the making. The nearer Dora gets to a murderer—and to the truth—the more seemingly disparate events begin to entwine. And the answers she seeks today to the salvation of humankind may lie in a far distant future. . .one which is suddenly much closer than anyone imagines.

An exhilarating and enchanting novel that deftly combines fantastic invention with insight and a social conscience, from one of the most lyrical and important voices in contemporary speculative fiction

“This out-and-out charmer is unquestionably Tepper’s best work so far.” —Kirkus Reviews
Previous page
  1. Print length
    500 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    HarperCollins e-books
  5. Publication date
    September 25, 2009
  6. File size
    1232 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This technically polished novel ingeniously combines elements from traditional quests, fables, and novels. A seemingly rhetorical question is posed in chapter 1: Why did sociable, smart Dora Henry marry cold, controlling Jared Gerber? But that question is the key to the book and to the parallel stories told by Sheri Tepper. The sets of characters unravel their separate puzzles until all become different aspects of the same web of events, shaking the reader's, and Dora's, perceptions to the core. Tepper's linguistic sleight-of-hand with metaphor and image is breathtaking; her storytelling is deft and funny; her characters are memorable and sympathetic. Topical, mythical, archetypal, and provocative, this is a book no fantasy or science fiction reader should miss.

From Library Journal

While investigating the separate murders of three geneticists, police sergeant Dora Henry stumbles upon [creatures] from the future who have come 3000 years into their past to prevent the extinction of their species before a plague destroys most humans. Overnight, sentient weeds and trees begins taking over the suburbs and carrying off babies from families with more than two children. Tying together the Earth Goddess Kore and ecological scare tactics leaves this morality tale a little too preachy and strident. A disappointment from the author of the Hugo Award nominee Grass (LJ 9/15/89); recommended for larger fantasy collections only.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B002QHATLU
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books (September 25, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 25, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1232 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 500 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 309 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Sheri S. Tepper

Sheri S. Tepper

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
309 global ratings
Please read!
5 Stars
Please read!
This book is one of my all time favorites and while I only just downloaded it I have actually read it 6 times. It is both humble and and enlightning while being highly amusing . If you believe as I do that every life matters from the spider to the most prestigious human being then this book is for you. I am constantly referring it to my friends and family .
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

KatieH
5.0 out of 5 stars Best plot twist ever
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2024
Verified Purchase
The Family Tree has interesting characters and two storylines. There seems to be no connection between the two stories until your mind gets blown. Such fun!!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Poff
5.0 out of 5 stars This book hooked me to this author and genre
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2010
Verified Purchase
My boyfriend brought home this book years ago because he had heard about it on the radio. I hadn't read much sci-fi/fantasy previously, but this book opened the door. I loved it! I have learned that reading a Sheri Tepper book is like jumping in to a time and place and living a person's (or people's) lives fully. They cover such a great expanse of emotions and events. I love books that really take me somewhere and all of her books do. This one is no exception. I love this one since it begins in our time and place and I find that easiest to relate to. Sometimes I have a harder time with sci-fi/fantasy that takes place somewhere completely new. There are a lot of very loud messages within the book, and while I agreed with most of them, I certainly didn't agree with them all, but still found that I wasn't angered or pestered by the author's point of view. Tepper chooses every word carefully and weaves this story beautifully. Whenever I loose the desire to read for long periods of time, I pick up a Tepper book and sink right back in. I just realized that I no longer have this book on my bookshelf and must order another copy.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
A Christy
4.0 out of 5 stars The Twistmistress Does it Again!
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2009
Verified Purchase
Any fan of Sheri Tepper can attest to her amazing ability in constructing a twist worthy of lost sleep. In Family Tree, I was not at all disappointed. It would be criminal to spoil that twist for anyone else, so my review will carefully avoid too much in the way of spoilers.

The story starts fairly normally...for a dual timeline, multiple plot cross between sci-fi, fantasy and normal fiction.

Dora, one of two main characters, has a bad but dull marriage and a great career in law enforcement. While investigating a murder or three, the world turns upside down all because of a vine and her husband, who has no love of vines out of place.

In another time, our second main, Opal-Ears, is a servant in a culture much like that of the old middle east and she has a new job. She starts out on an adventure through many lands, and eventually time, to solve a puzzle and stop "The End" of things.

These two threads meet up in the most unexpected way and provide a gasping, "No Way!", to most who read it. Unfortunately, I'm a terrible twist see'er and may not have seen the details, but had winkled out the basic twist already. I sure wish I hadn't because even just the details of the twist blew me away.

Others have expressed some disappointment in the book that I'd like to address. First, that there is a little bit too much political undercurrent in the ecological arena. I understand completely, but I didn't really find it so. My review is that there is some of that there, but it is certainly far less than something like "The Day After Tomorrow" or any other popular book or movie. If you are specifically sensitive in a negative way to the thought of environmentalism in any way, then it might be too much to overlook. If you're neutral or for, it should just add to the story.

Second, that the story doesn't have as many complex characters or detail. My view is that the twist requires certain physical parameters to be left out and that can be a lack for people who build the character pictures in their head and need the physical attributes to do it. I built entirely complete portraits of the characters, and had them smashed, of course, but loved the process. I also think it has to do with length. If there is one complaint heard about Grass, her most detailed one yet aside from the Awakeners set, it is of length. Family Tree is still long, but would have been encyclopedic had the same level of detail been added.

Sheri Tepper has never been afraid of twining issues around a good story and she does it better than any other author currently writing in my view. This one is a fun and ultimately enjoyable addition to that body of work.
10 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Angela
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book!
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2014
Verified Purchase
Her books tend to incorporate social and environmental issues and this book was no exception. It had humor, mystery, a little bit of suspense, some surprising twists, fighting scenes, philosophical debates and a Quest. I have read several of her books and I thought this one was one of her best! I don't want to say anything about the plot because it should be read without any hints. Not many books surprise me, but this one definitely did! I have recommended this book to friends and family because it is one of the best books I have read in awhile.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Alice
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2014
Verified Purchase
My first Sheryl Tepper book and I am so happy I finally found her. The story has a brilliant surprise; it really caught me out. A splendid writer of ingenious plotting and heightened imagination. I also like her deeply political and ethical comments hidden in the text. A great read. I will read lots more of Sheryls' work. Recommended for anyone who loves expanding their perception and reinforcing their good heart.
Helpful
 Report
dudemus
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly original
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
The characters are believable individuals, the story is unique, and Tepper's ideas about language and belonging and finding balance with the natural world are subtly woven into a compelling story that kept surprising me. I can't wait to read another of Tepper's books!
Helpful
 Report
PLM
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting idea and world building but a bit too preachy
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2018
Verified Purchase
Spoilers: The story had some interesting components but it was far too preachy. I can understand wanting to get the MESSAGE through that we are harming the earth and we need to change our behaviors or something will happen to force us to do so. The premise around the humans and their penance is so absurd and unrealistic. Humans are not going to willingly stay in servitude for thousands of years to atone for anything. You might get a few generations who are deeply religious to do so but not the total populace. People in modern society are also not going to be ok with part of their house or their kids disappearing because they plants decided someone has more than they need. It seemed like normal, ingrained reactions to extreme situations were glossed over like they were no big deal.

The MESSAGE aside, the world building was interesting. The story took a little too long to get into but overall it was an enjoyable read. I was entertained by the story but the MESSAGE and the preachy-ness moved my review from a 4 star to a 3 star.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Fozzetti
4.0 out of 5 stars Hugely enjoyable
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
Read this book years ago, I had forgotten much of it. The Kindle version has an awful lot of weird errors. How expensive would it be for the publisher to proof-read? $50? Perhaps customers would do it for free.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Orapin
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on July 8, 2018
Verified Purchase
Tepper always rewards.
Report
Benjamin Frankly
5.0 out of 5 stars In a league of her own
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
I'm not a fan of fantasy, but Sheri S Tepper is in a league of her own when it comes to blending Fantasy and SF. This is a deeply humane and wise novel which deals with some the big challenges facing humanity today. It is a witty, compassionate and thrilling eco-fable which is totally unputdownable. I have read quite a few of Tepper's novels, and this is far and away the best so far. She is right up there along with Le Guin, Atwood, and Lessing. I'm now going to read everything else she has written, then reread them all.......
3 people found this helpful
 Report
PtiteLau
5.0 out of 5 stars Livre de chevet
Reviewed in France on October 12, 2011
Verified Purchase
C'est un de ces livres qu'on relit avec plaisir et qu'on offre. L'histoire étrange d'une jeune fille dans un monde où la nature prend sa revanche, où elle tombe sur des animaux qui parlent et qui eux viennent d'ailleurs. Une parabole de notre relation trop peu harmonieuse avec la terre mère.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Timothy Mason
4.0 out of 5 stars A good read
Reviewed in France on September 18, 2017
Verified Purchase
A book that should appeal to both lovers of genre and ordinary readers looking for a good novel. Tepper's prose flows nicely, her characters are well traced out - although some of them don't have much to do - and the plotting is neat and offers several surprises. From time to time a rather preachy note appears, but is never allowed to get in the way of the tale, or hi-jack the characters. It avoids the verbal padding that has become the hallmark of the Sci-Fi fantasy novel in recent times.
Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars I love all Sheri S
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
As usual, a really convoluted plot which required my full concentration, but I couldn't put it down. I love all Sheri S. Tepper's books. Really thought-provoking and different.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report